A story of Reb Zusia

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reen12

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I’ve been thinking, over the last week, about ‘fogetfulmess of self.’
That serene state of childhood, where no thought is given to who owns what.
One just rides one’s bike, or zooms along on roller skates,
oblivious to such distinctions.

All is given of God, including my next breath.

Reb Zusia, my favorite human being from the past, had just such understanding.

I found the anecdote, which follows, expressive of who Zusia was.
A traveler stopped at a village, on his journey.
There, he sought out the rabbi. "Why are we urged to
thank G-d for even loss and pain?
The rabbi told the traveler that there were human beings
who lived with loss and great pain. Yet they were happy,
and they brought this sense of happiness - and even joy -
to those around them, who knew not of the suffering
of the one who was joyful.

The rabbi told the traveler to go visit Reb Zusia, and to
ask him the question - that so filled the heart of this traveler.
Reb Zusia’s home had no heat, and his house was barren
of worldly goods. Zusia endured constant physical pain,
and there was hardly any food to feed his many children.
Hearing the traveler’s question, Zusia looked puzzled.
“I don’t know why the rabbi sent you to me. I have never
had anything bad happen to me.”
I read, in another source, that Zusia was so greatful
for each breath, that that, in itself, was cause for joy.



reen12
 
One day, Reb Zusia felt sad. He wished that he could
please G-d as Moses did.
Then, Reb Zusia thought some more - and then he brightened.

“But if I was Moses, then G-d wouldn’t have His Zusia.”

reen12
 
One day, Reb Zusia felt sad. He wished that he could
please G-d as Moses did.
Then, Reb Zusia thought some more - and then he brightened.

“But if I was Moses, then G-d wouldn’t have His Zusia.”



reen12
 
Thanks to you as well, Joe. 🙂

I have always had great appreciation for the words
quoted in your own post.

“And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?”

reen12
 
Each morning, Reb Zusia rose and said the
morning prayers. Some mornings, Reb Zusia
would become swept up, in the presence of Hashem.
He would lose track of time.
When Zusia finally finished the morning prayers,
he would call out to Hashem, from the window:

“Hashem, Zusia is hungry and needs something
to eat.”

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

When the man who made Reb Zusia’s meal
heard the Reb calling out to Hashem, for sustenence,
each morning, he would know that the Reb was
now ready to have breakfast, and he would bring
in the meal.
One day, this man got tired of hearing Reb Zusia
ask G-d for some food. Wasn’t he the one who made
the meal and brought it to the Reb?
On this particular morning, the man decided not to
bring the Reb breakfast. Let Reb Zusia learn who really
provided this meal.

The day before - a well to do visitor, to the town, had seen Zusia
trying to cross the sea of mud that claimed to be a street.
Zusia had started to cross on the plank provided,
and when the stranger saw this painfully thin, toothless,
shabbily dressed man, he decided to give the Reb a hard time -
for the visitor’s own sense of amusement.

The man jumped up and down on the far end of the plank,
and Zusia lost his balance, and landed in the mud.
This visitor to town was still laughing, when he
entered the inn. The innkeeper asked him what
he was laughing about, so the man told him.
When the innkeeper asked the visitor to describe
the one he had sent flying - and when he heard the description,
the innkeeper cried out:
*“That was Reb Zusia!” *

The stranger became ashen-faced with upset.
He had heard that Reb Zusia was holy man - a tzaddik.
Everyone knew this.
How could the visitor ever make this right?
The innkeeper offered help. He told the man about Zusia’s practice
of crying out his window, each morning:
“Hashem, Zusia is hungry and needs something to eat.”

Now the stranger knew what to do.

The next morning, when Reb Zusia cried out the window -
and the man who always served the Reb his breakfast refused to budge -
the stranger brought breakfast to the Reb.

G-d took very good care of His Zusia.

reen12
 
A Story of Reb Zusia



Good heavens. Reb Zusia’s brother, Reb Elimelech,
was hailed as a brilliant scholar, while his elder
brother, Reb Zusia, prayed fervently and danced
his joy.
Reb Elimelech had the slight stoop of a scholar,



while Reb Zusia was known as the “Fool of God.”

At one time, the brothers were traveling and
stopped at an inn, to stay the night.
A celebration was taking place, and
things got out of hand… Some of the
revelers decided to add to their evening
the giving of a hard time to these two
fraternal wanderers.

“You! Stand up!” and Reb Zusia got to his
feet. The next thing Zusia knew, he was
being shoved and punched, until they decided
to let him go. An hour later, and they were
at it again.

Reb Zusia ached all over.

It happened a third time, but there wasn’t
much left of Zusia. He hardly felt the blows
anymore.
Now, his brother, Reb Elimelech, spoke.
“Why do they always pick you?”
His suffering brother told Reb Elimelech:
“It is the will of Hashem.”
Reb Elimelech said:
“When they come for you again, they will find me
seated in your chair.”
“We will switch places.”
And so they did.

On their way back, to where the brothers
were seated - one of the chief revelers called
loudly to the other men.
“Why not choose the other traveler, this time?”
“What do you say?”
Staggering forward, they shouted their agreement.
What a splendid idea!

They yanked Reb Zusia out of the chair,
in which he was now seated, and began
to pummel him again.
When they let him free, Reb Elimelech
said to Zusia, with a kind of wonder:
“Why is it always you?”
Reb Zusia replied, wrapping his arms around his aching ribs:

“It is beyond us. It shall be as it is written.”
reen12
 
Can someone please tell me what on earth this thread is about. I think its against the forum rules to cut and paste stories into a thread.
 
quote: thistle
Can someone please tell me what on earth this thread is about.
I think its against the forum rules to cut and paste stories into a thread.
Click to expand...
Dear thistle,

First off, those are my written accounts of Hasidic stories
familiar to many people. *
in religious publications. I am in the midst of writing*
a children’s book, based on one of these anecdotes.]

What the thread is about is the spirituality of one
who loved God very much. I state, in the opening
post in this thread, that Reb Zusia is my favorite
person from the past.

The fact that 223 members, of CAF, have at least deigned
to take a glance at this thread, cheers my heart.

For those unfamiliar with the history of Hasidic Judaism,
I offer links, in the next post, to webpages that might
convey said history, and why I love Reb Zusia.

I am flattered, that you would think this a “cut and paste” effort,
for I like to think that I conveyed the anecdotes clearly -
given the fact that, being a writer, is one of my identities.
The drawings are my own, as well.

Best, :tiphat:

reen12
 
The authors Chaim Potok The Chosen],
and the revered Martin Buber Tales of the Hasidim]
created wonderful works, discussing the love of God of the Hasidim.

amazon.com/Chosen-Chaim-Potok/dp/0449213447/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209397776&sr=1-2

amazon.com/Tales-Hasidim-Martin-Buber/dp/0805209956

A brief summary of Martin Buber’s life appears here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Buber

Martin Buber was one of the foremost philosophers of the 20th c.
He often wrote on the Hasidim, for he, too, cherished these
stories.

I have loved - and learned from - the various accounts of the major
figures, in Hasidic Judaism, for almost 40 years.:coffee:

reen12
 
The stories and the art are wonderful. Thank you for sharing them.
 
quote: SuscipeMeDomine
The stories and the art are wonderful. Thank you for sharing them.
Click to expand...
Thank you, SuscipeMeDomine, for your kindness.
I thought that others might enjoy these stories, too.

I make no claim to being an artist. The drawings are the
way I see Reb Zusia.

I needed to hear your kind words this afternoon. http://bestsmileys.com/sad/4.gif

reens
 


Reb Zusia looked worried, one day.
He looked as if he were carrying a heavy burden,
with no place to lay it down.

Those who loved the Reb were anxious to offer comfort,
for whatever was weighing on his heart.

One of them asked Reb Zusia why he looked so troubled.
The Reb said:

“I am thinking of the time when I shall appear before *Ribbono shel Olam *
and the heavenly court.”

One of his followers was mystified, hearing these words.
He said to Reb Zusia:

“How can you fear judgement? You have led a holy life.”
“If anyone has cause not to fear, it is you, Reb.”

Reb Zusia sighed, and remained silent for a time.
Then, he unburdened his heart.

“There is a question that I fear that I will not be able to answer.”

Now his followers were *really *worried. If Reb Zusia could not
answer a question-put to him by Hashem and the heavenly court,
how would they ever be able to answer?
What could it possibly be?

Zusia looked at them, sadly.

"Will it be said to me: ‘You were not expected to be like
Moses, in his wisdom, nor like Abraham, in his courage.’
But, tell us:
‘Why were you not more like Zusia?’

reen12
 
My thanks too, Reen:thumbsup: …very beautiful stories and deeply spiritual ones of great simplicity, reminding me of the simple wisdom stories from the desert fathers. …Barb:)
 
Thanks reen12. I especially liked the first story.

Could you maybe add footnotes for some of us. 🙂 I know/think “Hashem” refers to God, but what would the literal translation be. Also, the literal translation of “Ribbono shel Olam”. (I’m not asking to be picky or anything; just that so often the literal meanings add to the fullness and beauty of the meaning.)

Nita
 
quote: pentecostbaby
Thanks for the stories and the drawings. They are beautiful.
Click to expand...
Thank you, pentecostbaby. That is kind of you. I am most glad that you have
joined CAF. I wish you many happy hours of reading the thoughtful posts
that are often found on the forums, and I look forward, as well, to you
sharing your own thoughts. 🙂

Kindest regards,

reen12 👋
 
BarbaraTherese said:
My thanks too, Reen:thumbsup: …very beautiful stories and deeply spiritual ones of great simplicity, reminding me of the simple wisdom stories from the desert fathers. …Barb:)
Click to expand...
Thanks, Barb. I am glad that you, too, see the beauty in these
tales and legends. I think that my reading of the desert
fathers was limited to John Cassian. Philokalia and hesychasm.]

Reb Zusia reminds me a bit of Francis of Assisi.

Martin Buber collected the tales and legends for decades,
if I understand correctly.
[Buber is well recognized for his reflections on “I-Thou.”]

I find these stories of great comfort, and - often - they are
a mere few paragraphs in length. Yet many provide hours
of reflection, that lift the mind and heart to God.

Best,

reens
 
Never mind reen, I googled the expressions.
I knew it would add . 🙂

Hashem: Traditional Jews use the name “Hashem” instead of “God” to show their respect to God by not taking his name lightly and only using the proper name God in prayers.

Ribbono shel Olam: reference to God as the Creator and Master of the universe.

Nita
 
Nita said:
Never mind reen, I googled the expressions.
I knew it would add . 🙂

Hashem: Traditional Jews use the name “Hashem” instead of “God” to show their respect to God by not taking his name lightly and only using the proper name God in prayers.

Ribbono shel Olam: reference to God as the Creator and Master of the universe.

Nita
Click to expand...
Thank you, Nita, for providing the information. 🙂

I’ve assembled a few thoughts - on the matter of the name of God,
if there is any interest in this topic.

If I understand, correctly, Hashem means “the Name.”
[Sometimes, it is written HaShem.]

When God appeared to Moses, in a burning bush,
to give him a great task to do, Moses was most anxious.

quote: reen12, from another thread
Moses said to God - when God told him that he was to go to Egypt,
Click to expand...
to lead God’s people out of their bondage:

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Yet the critical thing of note is - that Moses asked God
“Who shall I say sent me”

And the Lord God Almighty said to Moses “Tell them I AM sent you.”

You see, in the middle east, thousands of years ago, to know the name of someone
was thought to give power over that person. God was not about to give Moses a “name.”
In fact, God’s name is held so sacred, that some members of Judaism, to this day,
will not write the word “God.” They write “G-d.”

A final point that may be worth mentioning, I think.
Note how the book of Genesis states that God called the animals,
each in turn, to come before Adam. Adam was permitted, by God,
to “name” the animals. In short, this was God’s way of indicating
that man was to have authority over the animal kingdom.

It is of further interest, to me, that one of the Seven Noahide commandments
forbids the mistreatment of animals. One of the reasons that God created
the Sabbath was - to insure rest, for work animals.

The “name” of God is of especial interest to me - for when
I think of God, I think of Him as Master of the Universe,
and Creator of all that is.

Kindest regards, 🙂

reen12
 
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